Blue Jackets News

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Damon Severson • D • Blue Jackets

Damon Severson Expected to Make Season Debut Friday

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (shoulder) is expected to make his season debut this week, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports. On Monday, Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness said he expects Severson to be available on Friday against Pittsburgh. Severson has missed Columbus' first two games of the season due to shoulder surgery. The team has allowed seven goals without him in the lineup. Severson's return will improve the defense. He'll also boost the offense after a 32-point season. Denton Mateychuk's ice time will likely decrease significantly with Severson's return.

Oct 6

Damon Severson • D • Blue Jackets

Damon Severson Considered Week-to-Week

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (shoulder) is week-to-week. He's already been ruled out for the first two games of the season, but Severson could miss even more time as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery. Ivan Provorov (lower body) and Dante Fabbro (upper body) are also week-to-week, so Columbus will miss half of its regular defense in Thursday's season openers against Buffalo. Denton Mateychuk, Carson Soucy, and Emil Andrae all have added fantasy value due to the injuries.

Oct 1

Ivan Provorov • D • Blue Jackets

Ivan Provorov Added to Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (lower body) will miss the start of the season after being placed on Injured Reserve. Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness labeled Provorov week-to-week before Thursday's season opener against the Buffalo Sabres. Thursday's matchup will mark the first time in his career that Provorov has missed a game due to injury. He has sat out only three games due to COVID protocol in 2022, making 375 consecutive regular-season appearances. Columbus is also dealing with several other absentees on defense, meaning Denton Mateychuk will join Zach Werenski on the first defensive pairing. At the same time, recently joined Carson Soucy and Emil Andrae will play a vital role as the second defensive pairing.

Oct 1

Damon Severson • D • Blue Jackets

Damon Severson to Miss At Least Two Games

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (shoulder) won't be in the lineup for the first two games of the season, Jason Newland of The Hockey News reports. The 32-year-old underwent shoulder surgery late last season, and the team doesn't want to rush him into action. Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness hopes to have Severson available for the third game of the season, a clash against Pittsburgh on home ice. Dante Fabbro (upper body) isn't available either, making Denton Mateychuk a candidate for a bigger role. On Tuesday, Columbus also signed Carson Soucy to a one-year, $1.15 million contract to bolster its defensive depth.

Sep 29

Matthew Knies • LW • Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Acquire Matthew Knies

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired winger Matthew Knies in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. He was part of a six-player deal that also sent Columbus defenseman Emil Andrae, winger Steven Lorentz, and a second-round draft pick. Knies had a productive 2025-26 season (66 points in 79 games), but his name often surfaced in trade rumors. Now, the American winger will start a new chapter in his career in Columbus. Knies could see more ice time with the Blue Jackets, boosting his fantasy appeal.

Sep 29

Dante Fabbro • D • Blue Jackets

Dante Fabbro to Miss at Least One Month

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro (upper body) will miss the first month of the regular season, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. On Sunday, Portzline reported that Fabbro is expected to be unavailable for "a month or more." A week ago, Fabbro suffered an upper-body injury in a preseason game, and the team placed him on Injured Reserve Friday. Regarding Columbus' defense, Damon Severson's (shoulder) availability at the start of the season is also in question. As such, the Blue Jackets are trying to sign Carson Soucy to a standard contract after he spent training camp with the team on a tryout deal.

Sep 28

Adam Fantilli • C • Blue Jackets

Adam Fantilli Agrees to Six-Year Extension With Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli signed a six-year, $82.5 million contract extension Thursday. He will earn $13.75 million annually, making Fantilli Columbus' highest-paid player. The 21-year-old was a restricted free agent and didn't participate in training camp because of his contract status. He will now join the team and begin preparing for his fourth NHL campaign. Fantilli posted a career-high 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games last season. He became only the third player in franchise history to record multiple 20-goal seasons before turning 22. Given his age, Fantilli should still have significant upside and is a player fantasy managers should value highly.

Sep 25

Dante Fabbro • D • Blue Jackets

Dante Fabbro Could Miss Opening Night

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro (upper body) is uncertain for the season opener, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reports. Fabbro was injured in Monday's preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. On Wednesday, Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness told reporters that Fabbro's recovery "is going to be a little longer than we'd hoped." Columbus opens its season on Oct. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres, so Fabbro still has time to recover. With Damon Severson (shoulder) also racing to get healthy for the season opener, Columbus could already face selection problems. If the blue line isn't at full strength next Thursday, Denton Mateychuk would have an increased role.

Sep 24

Damon Severson • D • Blue Jackets

Damon Severson Questionable for Season Opener

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (shoulder) is questionable for next week's season opener, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. Severson has been recovering from shoulder surgery since early April. At training camp, the team has steadily increased Severson's workload, but head coach Rick Bowness isn't sure whether Severson will be available on Oct. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres. Dante Fabbro (upper body) is also nursing an injury, giving trialist Carson Soucy a realistic shot at making the team. Meanwhile, Denton Mateychuk could have significantly more responsibility on defense early in the season.

Sep 24

Adam Fantilli • C • Blue Jackets

Adam Fantilli Absent From Camp While Awaiting New Deal

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli missed opening day of training camp on Wednesday. Fantilli is an unsigned restricted free agent and won't join the team before he inks a new deal. Last week, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he was "100 percent" confident Fantilli would sign a new deal before camp. Although Fantilli's absence will be a distraction for the Blue Jackets during training camp, the team will likely get a deal done with him before the season starts. Fantilli was Columbus' third-highest scorer last season, totaling 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games.

Sep 17

Sean Monahan • C • Blue Jackets

Sean Monahan Fully Healthy Ahead of New Season

Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan is fully healthy for the start of the season, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports. Monahan was banged up all year last season and struggled to perform. After being a point-per-game guy in 2024-25, the 31-year-old tallied only 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 78 games. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said Monahan is feeling "great" ahead of the new campaign. He didn't require any surgeries to get healthy. With no injuries, Monahan could comfortably reach 50-60 points in 2026-27.

Sep 13

Damon Severson • D • Blue Jackets

Damon Severson "Ready to Roll"

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (shoulder) will be in the lineup at the start of the season, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports. "He's ready to roll," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell told Scheig. "We'll probably keep him out of the exhibition games. No real reason for him to play in exhibition games. He's here and he's doing everything right now. We just want to be a little cautious where we keep him out of heavy contact or anything like that. We'll let him get back going. But I expect him to be ready for the start of the season." Severson underwent shoulder surgery late last season. He led all Blue Jackets defensemen with a plus-12 rating and posted 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 71 games.

Sep 10

Adam Fantilli • C • Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets "100 Percent" Confident Adam Fantilli Deal Gets Done

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli is expected to sign a new contract before training camp opens next week, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports. "I'm 100 percent that we'll get this thing done," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell told Scheig on Wednesday. "It's not imminent, but we're talking on a pretty regular basis now. I talked to his agent over the weekend and going to talk again here today or tomorrow. So, as long as you are talking, I always feel like you're going to find a way to get a solution for everybody and everybody's happy." Fantilli needs a new contract after completing his entry-level deal. He has improved each year and ranked third on his team last season with a career-high 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games.

Sep 10

Elvis Merzlikins • G • Blue Jackets

Elvis Merzlikins Undergoes Surgery

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery last week, general manager Don Waddell announced. "Elvis informed us a few weeks ago that he was experiencing some discomfort in his shoulder during his offseason workouts," Waddell said. "Following an MRI, it was determined that surgery was the best course of action. He'll be evaluated again in a few weeks at which time we'll have a clearer idea on when he will be back on the ice." Merzlikins faces a race to be healthy in time for the new season. Columbus opens its training camp on Sept. 16. Phoenix Copley appears poised to serve as the team's No. 2 if Merzlikins is unavailable at the start of the campaign.

Aug 24

Zach Werenski • D • Blue Jackets

Zach Werenski Hints at Long-Term Future With Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has put trade rumors behind him and is ready to commit his long-term future to the team. "I think everyone knows how much I love this city and how much it means to me and I would have no issues being here for an even longer time," Werenski said. Next season, Werenski plans to be "even a better player, better leader, and a better person" for his teammates and the club. On June 30, Werenski vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars. The 2026 Norris Trophy winner has two seasons left on a six-year, $57.5 million contract. His commitment to the Blue Jackets is encouraging news for fantasy managers.

Aug 14

Cole Sillinger • C • Blue Jackets

Cole Sillinger Re-Signs With Blue Jackets for Three Years

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger signed a three-year, $13.875 million contract on Friday, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing. This looks like a decent deal for both sides. Sillinger is a versatile player who still has room to grow. He has finished with 30-plus points in four of his five NHL campaigns. In 2025-26, Sillinger recorded a career-high 25 assists and 33 points in 81 games. The 23-year-old was third on his team with 112 hits. A couple of seasons ago, Sillinger averaged 0.5 points per game, making 40 points a realistic target for 2026-27.

Jul 25

Danton Heinen • LW • Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Sign Danton Heinen to Two-Way Deal

Winger Danton Heinen will return to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the new season on a one-year, two-way contract. He will earn $1 million in the NHL and $550,000 at the AHL level. Heinen moved to Columbus in December last year when he was traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had a poor campaign in 2025-26, picking up 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 46 outings. Heinen came close to a 40-point season in 2023-24, and while Columbus will hope he can replicate that form, it seems unlikely. Even if he sticks with the big club, Heinen will probably see limited ice time in a bottom-six role.

Jul 24

Jet Greaves • G • Blue Jackets

Jet Greaves Signs Three-Year, $15 Million Deal With Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves signed a three-year, $15 million contract on Thursday. The team announced the deal just before Greaves' scheduled salary arbitration hearing. Greaves received a significant pay bump from his previous two-year, $1.63 million deal. In 2025-26, he became only the fifth goaltender in franchise history to post a 25-win season. Greaves finished the campaign with a 26-19-9 record, allowing 2.60 goals with a .908 save percentage and two shutouts. His emergence has hurt Elvis Merzlikins' fantasy stock. The Latvian veteran was limited to 29 starts last season and appears poised to begin the new campaign in a backup role.

Jul 24

Isac Lundeström • C • Blue Jackets

Isac Lundestrom to Miss Start of Season

Columbus Blue Jackets center Isac Lundestrom (Achilles) won't be available for the start of the 2026-27 season, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports. He is recovering from offseason Achilles surgery and is expected to return in November. This means the Blue Jackets will be without a solid bottom-six contributor and penalty-killer early next season, though Lundestrom's absence won't affect fantasy hockey. The Swedish forward managed only four goals and eight assists in 68 outings last season. He's been limited to 15 or fewer points in four consecutive campaigns.

Jul 22

Zach Werenski • D • Blue Jackets

Zach Werenski Sticking With Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski isn't going anywhere despite being heavily linked to a trade this offseason. "I want to win and I want to do that in Columbus," Werenski said in a statement. "As I've thought about things and discussed everything with my wife and family, we want to be in Columbus. It has been my home for the past 10 years and I have always been proud to be a Blue Jacket. We have the best fans in the NHL. I love my teammates and coaches and I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to get us back in the playoffs to compete for a Stanley Cup. Don and I are completely aligned on that and are excited about what's to come with our team." The 2026 Norris Trophy winner has two years left on his contract. Werenski has developed into a fantasy stud in Columbus and could become just the sixth defenseman in NHL history to record three consecutive 80-point campaigns next season.

Jul 2

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